COMMS 208 Digital Communication Ethics - Course Outlines

Course Prescription

Addresses applied ethical issues arising in digital journalism, social media, “big data” surveillance and privacy, algorithmic bias, and software design. As digital media expand beyond the personal computer, there is an increase of ethical issues pertaining to mobile devices, GPS navigation, biometric modelling, artificial intelligence, and the ever-expanding range of wired devices tracking us through the so-called ‘internet of things’.

Course Overview

NOW AVAILABLE FOR *BOTH* BSc & BA!

Summary of Course Description:

When social media are used to erode democracy, who is responsible? We now use algorithms to help decide who goes to prison and who receives healthcare, but those systems are fraught with biases. Can we equitably distribute the vast benefits of artificial intelligence — and manage its risks? If old mobile phones are filling toxic waste dumps, should I still upgrade to the latest model? Programmers and media professionals may frame these questions differently from lawyers, policymakers and diverse communities of users around the globe who depend on computing technologies every day from positions of power and precarity alike. We draw upon but decenter the Western philosophical tradition’s ethical frameworks, emphasizing questions raised by Māori, Confucian, and other non-Western ideas about good and right ways of using technology and living together.

Many courses related to ethics and technology are focused on best professional practices in various industries, and proceed by analysing case studies, learning methods to deliberate on what an individual person should do when faced with an ethically difficult decision. In this course, we will sometimes work in this way, especially during small group tutorials. But many of our readings and topics discussed in lecture will consider broader structural questions about technology and the 'good life.'

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: 60 points passed

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

Analyse ethical questions raised by technologies (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
Communicate about technology ethics (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
Evaluate ethical arguments about technologies (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type	Percentage	Classification
Coursework	50%	Individual Coursework
Quiz	15%	Individual Test
Final Exam	35%	Individual Examination
3 types	100%

Workload Expectations

The standard expectation is that students will spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 2 hours of lectures every week plus a one-hour discussion. To succeed, we highly recommend you spend a couple hours doing the assigned readings *before* lecture each week. The remaining ~5 hours of work will vary somewhat, but is typically split between thinking about course content, working on assignments, and studying!

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at all scheduled sessions to succeed in the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities may or may not be available depending on circumstances.
Attendance on campus is required for tests and examinations.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Because this course attracts a very diverse group of students across various faculties, the feedback we receive often reflects different preferences and desires. The most consistent messages are that the course demands a lot — lots of reading, lots of writing, lots of listening — which is challenging, but also that work is very rewarding. For 2023, we are considering ways to pare down the material and otherwise 'lighten the load' without sacrificing the sophistication these critical issues deserve!

Other Information

This course is for EVERYBODY — It was designed by an interdisciplinary team including members from Philosophy, Computer Science, Te Mana Raraunga the Māori Data Sovereignty Network, Media & Communication, Politics, and more!

(NOTE: This course is listed on both the BA and BSc schedules and can be counted toward either degree).

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Parenting and being a student at the same time can be difficult. Breast-feeding babies are always welcome in class, and although we cannot regularly accommodate other children, you are welcome to bring a child to class if there are last-minute unforeseeable disruptions to childcare (e.g., the normal caregiver falls ill without adequate time to find someone else).

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

tl;dr: doing unethical things in an ethics class wouldn't be a great idea

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Coincidentally, this course will critically explore ethical questions arising from use of these same education technologies, e.g., automated grading, plagiarism detection, and invigilation surveillance. The irony is noted.

Capability 1:	Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2:	Critical Thinking
Capability 3:	Solution Seeking
Capability 4:	Communication and Engagement
Capability 5:	Independence and Integrity
Capability 6:	Social and Environmental Responsibilities

COMMS 208 : Digital Communication Ethics

Arts

2023 Semester Two (1235) (15 POINTS)